Barraba pensioner Joyce Abra thought COVID-19 would mean missing her 100th birthday.
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But instead the celebrations came to her. Wrapped in blankets, Mrs Abra watched on from a throne positioned on the verandah of her nursing home, Richardson House, in Barrabra.
Speaking through rolled-down windows she thanked local after local as car after car rolled up to sing happy birthday in the socially-distant celebration.
Son Tony Abra estimated as many as 100 cars drove by for the birthday-on-wheels. It took over half an hour for the convoy to pass.
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"Some of them were her preschool students that drove through," he said.
"She was a preschool teacher here for many years and now some of those kids that she taught are grandparents.
"She's well known around the town."
He said his mum would remember the gesture forever.
Mrs Abra said the anniversary had "snuck up onto me I suppose" but she assumed it would have to be delayed for another occasion.
Richardson House employees came up with the idea of a drive-by birthday, but the new 100-year-old said she didn't feel her age.
"I feel about 70," she laughed.
"I don't know how 100-year-old ladies should feel. I feel good.
"I'm very lucky, and I do feel well."
Born on May 21, 1920 in Upper Horton, Mrs Abra has almost never lived anywhere outside of Barraba.
She served in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force in the Second World War. Her husband Colin, also from Barraba, fought in the same conflict, was captured and spent four years as a Prisoner of War in the infamous Changi prison. Mrs Abra was a kindergarten teacher for 12 years.
The couple were married for 57 years. Joyce now had two children, four grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
She said watching the community come out to celebrate her life was a wonderful gesture.
"I love them all, they are a grand mob. I've known them all since year dot, so they are all lovely to come and see me, seeing as it's a bit of a wet morning and all," she said.
"It just makes me love them more because I love them all. I see them down the street and they all cuddle me and kiss me. They're just friends, just lovely people."
Andrew Messenger
Politics, environment and energy journalist at the Northern Daily Leader. I also write about health, bushfires and occasionally music. I'm a Brisbane boy by way of Charleville and Hobart who now lives in in beautiful New England. Get me at andrew.messenger@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Politics, environment and energy journalist at the Northern Daily Leader. I also write about health, bushfires and occasionally music. I'm a Brisbane boy by way of Charleville and Hobart who now lives in in beautiful New England. Get me at andrew.messenger@austcommunitymedia.com.au
